Sunday, 25 January 2009

Helio Gracie Dies Age 95

Helio Gracie Dies Age 95 From Natural Causes

Grand Master and father of Brazilian Jiu-JitsuHelio Gracie and his older brother Carlos played a major role in developing what we know in 2009 as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Helio Gracie developed his own form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because he only weighed around 150 Lbs and was weak in comparison to big strong guys. Helio's creation of his own Jiu-Jitsu was so effective that everyone wanted to learn it. Helio Gracie used leverage and position in such a way that he, and anyone that learnt from him was able to overcome the size and strength advantages of their opponents.

Helio Gracie is a true legend. His development of Jiu-Jitsu, contribution to Martial Arts and Superb example as a person will never be forgotten. This is the man that made Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu known to the world and made it was it is today. ThankyouHelio Gracie.

In one of his final magazine interviews the Grand Master expresses his concern for the future of Jiu-Jitsu:
“The Jiu-Jitsu that I created was designed to give the weak ones a chance to face the heavy and strong. It was so successful that they decided to create a sportive version of it. I would like to make it clear that of course I am in favor of the sportive practice and technical refinement of all athletes, whatever their specialty may be, as well as good nutrition, sexual control, avoidance of addictions and unhealthy habits. The problem lies in the creation of a sport-oriented Jiu-Jitsu, based on rules and time limits, which benefits the heavier, stronger, and more athletic individuals. The primary objective of Jiu-Jitsu is to empower the weak who, for not having the physical attributes, are often intimidated. My Jiu-Jitsu is an art of self-defense in which rules and time limits are unacceptable. These are the reasons for which I can’t support events that reflect an anti Jiu-Jitsu.”